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The International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board sets high-quality international standards for auditing, assurance, and quality control that strengthen public confidence in the global profession.

The International Accounting Education Standards Board establishes standards, in the area of professional accounting education, that prescribe technical competence and professional skills, values, ethics, and attitudes.

The International Public Sector Accounting Standards Board develops standards, guidance, and resources for use by public sector entities around the world for preparation of general purpose financial statements.

Press Releases/News Alerts

Accountancy leaders from around the world met in Geneva on October 12 to discuss next steps for global corporate governance reforms. With an eye to helping prevent future financial crises, they collectively supported the following points:

The accountancy profession has a key role to play in strengthening corporate governance and facilitating the integration of governance and sustainability into the strategy, operations, and reporting of an organization.

Boards should be focused on the long-term sustainability of their businesses. As such, corporate governance reform must include strengthening board oversight of management, positioning risk management as a key board responsibility, and encouraging remuneration practices that balance risk and long-term (social, environmental, and economic) performance criteria.

Governance is more than having the right structures, regulation and principles in place—it is about ensuring that the right behaviors and processes are in place.

Governance mechanisms need to be strengthened at banks and other companies to ensure better oversight of risk management and executive compensation.

More dialogue is needed between policy makers, the accounting profession, and other financial industries to consider how we can work together effectively on a global level.

The conference, hosted by the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), took place at the United Nations Office in Geneva, Switzerland.

Professor Mervyn King, author of the King Code on Corporate Governance, was the keynote speaker. Participants from more than 50 countries were on hand to address key questions including: What lessons has the financial crisis revealed about corporate governance? What corporate governance reforms should be developed on a global basis? And what role should the accountancy profession play?

“Professional accountants can serve as a critical link to ensure that good corporate governance is practiced,” said IFAC President Robert L. Bunting. “Accountants provide strategic direction to boards and governing bodies, aiming to ensure that risks are managed appropriately and resources are used responsibly—all key processes for facilitating sound corporate governance.”

The IFAC/UNCTAD conference was designed to allow professional accountants, corporate governance experts, and other participants to challenge current practices, exchange views on essential elements of corporate governance, and discuss best practices that will improve the current and future business and economic climate.

Mervyn King, professor at the University of South Africa, who specializes in corporate citizenship, said: “Our businesses impact society, the economy, and the environment. We are no longer distant bystanders of these organizations, but we are the stakeholders, because business impacts our society, environment, and economy.”

About IFAC

IFAC (www.ifac.org) is the global organization for the accountancy profession dedicated to serving the public interest by strengthening the profession and contributing to the development of strong international economies. It is comprised of 159 members and associates in 124 countries and jurisdictions, representing approximately 2.5 million accountants in public practice, education, government service, industry, and commerce.

About the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)

UNCTAD is the focal point of the United Nations for the integrated treatment of investment and enterprise development. Since its founding in 1964, UNCTAD has progressively evolved into an authoritative knowledge-based institution whose work aims to help shape current policy debates and thinking on development. UNCTAD is the host for the Intergovernmental Working Group of Experts on International Standards of Accounting and Reporting (ISAR). For more than 25 years, ISAR has been the focal point within the UN system for issues of corporate transparency and accounting. Through ISAR, UNCTAD works to promote international best practices in financial reporting and corporate governance disclosure and to assist developing countries to build their technical capacity in this area. More information: www.unctad.org/isar

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